Ten Questions you might want to ask your video producer/editor before getting started.

With more than 2500 videos produced in the past two years, I've had a lot of clients ask great questions to our producers/animators....When working with an animator on a corporate project, it's essential to ask questions that help ensure a clear understanding of the project's goals and expectations. Here are ten questions you might consider:

1. Project Overview: Can you provide a brief overview of the animation process for this project, from concept to completion from your team/company's perspective - if it's different than what's in the SOW? What is your understanding of the main objectives and goals of the animation within the context of our corporate project?
2. Timeline and Milestones: What is the anticipated timeline for completing the animation, including key milestones? Is the schedule in our statement of work/our plan realistic? Can you do it faster? Are there any potential challenges or bottlenecks that might affect the timeline, and how do you plan to address them?
3. Style and Aesthetics: How do you approach determining the visual style and aesthetics of the animation, and what input or preferences do you need from our team? Can you provide examples of previous work that demonstrate a similar style or tone to what we're aiming for in our project? What is different/newer/better? What would command attention or be comfortable/expected of our video viewer? What aspect if any does AI creation have in this project and if so, what are the source materials?
4. Collaboration and Feedback: What is your preferred method for collaboration and communication throughout the project? What tools do you use? How do you handle feedback, and what is the best way for our team to provide constructive input during different stages of the animation? What days/hours are your team NOT available if any?
5. Technical Specifications: What technical specifications do you require from our team, such as file formats, resolutions, or any other specific requirements for integrating the animation into our corporate materials? BIG one: where are file items saved/stored afterwards?
6. Revisions and Iterations: How many rounds of revisions are typically included in your process, and what is the procedure for additional revisions if needed? How do you handle major changes or pivots in the creative direction after the animation process has begun? Big one: HOW do you handle multiple stakeholders with varying degrees of input.
7. Storyboard and Script: How do you approach the development of a storyboard or script for the animation, and what level of involvement do you expect from our team in this process? Are these included? If so, can you explain storyboards vs thumbnails, advance previews, etc?
8. Music and Sound Design: How do you incorporate music and sound design, and sound effects into your animations, and do you have preferred resources or contacts for these elements? How can our team contribute to or guide the selection of music and sound effects for the animation?
9. Delivery and Distribution: What is the final deliverable for the animation, and in what formats will it be provided? Are there any considerations or recommendations for the best way to distribute or showcase the completed animation within our corporate channels? How many different aspect ratios will these be delivered in?
10. Experience and References: Can you share examples of similar corporate projects you've worked on in the past? Can you share whom on your team worked on these? Do you do these internally, or with outsourced animators? Do you have references from previous clients we can contact for feedback on your work and collaboration style?

There are loads of additional questions, but hopefully this is helpful. What is your #11 tip? Feel free to add comments.